Merchandise Guide

Current as of 8/28/00.

We've created this section of Rose Revolution to help spread Utena anime and manga throughout North America. We've been through a lot of trial and error and bad experiences to find reliable online dealers. Thus, here's our guide to help you get your grubby little paws on more Utena stuff:

Domestic VHS and DVD

Software Sculptors, a division of Central Park Media, has released the first thirteen episodes of Shoujo Kakumei Utena anime in North America. The English title is "Revolutionary Girl Utena." The episodes are availabe subtitled or dubbed. The Utena collection consists of four VHS volumes or two DVDs. Like most domestic anime, Utena tends to be on the pricey side.

Cost:
A single DVD costs around $40.
A single volume of subtitled VHS costs around $30.
A single volume of dubbed VHS costs around $25.
A collection of all four VHS volumes is available for $90 (dubbed) or $100 (subbed)

Where to Buy:
1. Buy direct from Software Sculptors
2. Order online at Anime Nation. VHS is 20% off and DVD is also discounted.
3. The following national chain stores carry or can order VHS/DVD for you: Sam Goody, Suncoast Motion Picture Company, Saturday Matinee

Fansubtitled Episodes

Since episodes 14-39 of Utena have not been commercially released in North America, you will have to buy them fansubbed. What is a fansub? A fansub is a subtitled video created by anime fans for anime fans.

Here's a brief explanation of how fansubbing works: Let's say you, the customer, want to buy a fansub. First, you must surf the online anime community until you find a reliable distributor (distro). Then you follow the instructions on the distro's webpage and make your request. Next, you will send the distro just enough money to cover the cost of the blank tapes they will use to fulfill your request, as well as the shipping charges neccessary to mail those tapes back to you. Once the distro recieves your money, they will process your request. That is, they will buy the blank tapes and copy your requested titles onto the tapes, and then mail them back to you. Simple, no?

A fansubbed videotape should never cost you more than $7 or $8 at the most. This is because it is ILLEGAL for the distro to make a profit while distributing unlicensed anime. Remember, fansubs are essentially "free". You must only pay for the blank tapes used and shipping charges.

The most reliable distro with Utena tapes on the 'net is Kodocha Anime. Their site features simple, easy-to-follow instructions that even newbies can understand. If you order the rest of the Utena series in its entirety (about seven VHS volumes), it will only cost you around $44. What a deal!

Kodocha also has the Utena movie available, in a subtitled format.

Manga

The original manga by Chiho Saito is collected in five volumes released in Japan. It has never been released in English. However, you can still enjoy Utena manga! Translations for almost the entire series are available online.

To buy Utena manga, visit Sasuga Books or any other import book store. It's easy to order the manga if you have the ISBN numbers of each volume:

Volume One: ISBN4-09-136084-X
Volume Two: ISBN4-09-136085-8
Volume Three: ISBN4-09-136086-6
Volume Four: ISBN4-09-136087-4
Volume Five: ISBN4-09-136088-2

Translations of all the Utena manga can be found at Project Rose Signet.

Music

There have been at least six Utena soundtracks published in Japan. Unfortunately, there are no domestic soundtracks. We recommend ordering imported CDs from Anime Nation. The soundtracks cost around $33 each, while some of the CD singles cost around $14 each. That may seem like a lot, but keep in mind that most of the soundtrack CDs have over thirty tracks on them.

For MP3's and samplings of all the wonderful Utena music, visit Themes of the Revolution.

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